Belt-lacing machine



April 30, 1929. s. E. PURPLE BELT LACING MACHINE Filed July 23, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet l April 30, 1929. G. E. PURPLE ,71 ,8

BELT LACING MACHINE Filed July 23. 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 G. E. PURPLE BELT LAGING MACHINE Fil ed July 2:. 1927 Imus/Z2811" Geozpalffir s.

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- April 30, 1929.

G. E. PURPLE BELT LACING MACHINE April 30, 1929. 1,710,894

Filed Jul 25, 1927 6 sheets-sheet 4 Q {j 51 52 is 54 47 2% "II 1 '1 4 Z4 fiZ ,fZf.

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"AprilBO, 1929. G. E. PURPLE BELT LACING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 25, 1927 Q WW Ap 3 1929. e. E. PURPLE 4 LLLLLLLLLLLLLLL NE 1 mix 76 l atentecl Apr. 30, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE} o-nonsn in. llllRPlllE, or in GRANGE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T FLEXIBLE STEEL acin compan or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ACORPORA'IION on ILLINOIS.

BELT-LACING' MACHINE.

Application filed July 23,

improvements in width, the item ot time rerpiired to apply the a belt lacings or belt fasteners when puttingon a new belt or repairing an old one, is of considerable importance and econon'iical, prac-i tice requires that the lacing or fasteners be applied as quickly as possible and with a minimum of labor.

One object o'l my invention therefore, to provide a belt lacing 111th, hine capable of taking belts or aprons of wide Width and in which means are provided for rapidly attaching and clinchingthe lacings or fasteners across the entire Width of the belt or apron end.

Another object of my invention is to proridc automatic-:1 lly operating, powenactmited means tor progressively and successively bending, attaching and clinching the belt lacii'igs or fasteners across the full width of the belt or apron end whereby the entire lacing or series of fasteners is applied in a most expeditious manner. I

Still another object of my invention is to provide a machine of the character indicated n'herein the entire length of lacing or fasteners may be applied during one cycle of movement only of the machin Other objects of the invention Will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

Broadly S 'Wilk'lng, the preferred einbodiment of my invention contemplates a suitable framework. on which is supported the desired length of belt lacing holder corresponding to the maximum width of belt or apron for Which the machine is adapted and a carriage supported on the framework and movable lengthwise oi the lacing holder, said carriage having mounted thereon and movable therewith a plurality. of sets oi. rollers, the sets of rollers being so arranged that the first set 'to engage the belt la cings partially deforms them and the lacings are then successivcljg and progressively further deformed. attached and ultin'iately clinched as the carriage n'ioves across the machine. The preferred form also contemplates the positive rotation of the attaching rollers during their bodily movement clearly illustrate certain parts.

arrows. Figure 3 is a top plan View, "corresponding to the line 33 of Figure 1 and illustrating more particularly the 'arriage and parts mounted thereon. Figure 4; is avertical, sectional'rien' corresponding to thesction line 4 4 of Figure 1 and upon thefsame 'ale as Figure 2. Figure 5 is a horizontal,

sectional View more particularly illustrating the gearing for driving the rollers and corresponding approximately to the section line of l' iguro 1.. Figu'reli is a vertical, sectional vicw npon an enlarged srale, corn sponding approximately to the section line is a Vertical, scctional View, parts broken a Way and cor e sponding a pproxiuiately to the section line 7--7 of Figure '3. Figure 8 is a detailed, vertical, sectional View taken through a, set of rollers and corresponding approximately to the section line8- 8 of Figure 3. Figure 9 a horizontal, sectional View corresponding to the section line 9-9 of'Figure 8. Figure 10 is a top plan View, parts broken away, upon an enlarged scale, illustrating more particu larly the lacing holder-(With a section of belt lacing in place and ajwrtion of the belt or apron, the latter being in section. is a lrmgitmlinal mater sectional View through the center of the lacing holder with one of the holding platesren'ioved to betterexpose the interior arrangen'ient. Figuredfl is an clcvational riewof aportion of a beltor apron showing a section of the lacing applied thereto. Figures 1 3, 14,15 and-1-6nrefejn larged, detail, vertic'il, ctional views correspending to the sect-ionlines 13--13,"1414, 15--15 and 16-16 respectively, of Figure 1, i and illustrating the belt lacing holder, the liming, and the successiye sets of progressive rollers and the manner ofdeforming andapplying the belt lacing.

Figure 11 In carrying out my invention, a suitable supporting framework for the parts is provided, the same consisting of two vertical end castings QO QO, united by a series of hollow tubes or bars 21 1, the attachment between the latter and the end frames being by any suitable means such as the flanged nipples 22 threaded to the tubes 21 and bolted to the end frames. In addition, a heavy rail 23 is extended between and connected at its ends to the end frames 20, said rail 23 being of plate-like form arranged vertically as best indicated in Figure 2 and braced against bending by any suitable means such as the angle iron 24L secured thereto and lengthwise thereof. A supporting bar 525 also extend ed between the end frames and detaehably secured thereto as by bolts 26, by which the ends of said bar are attached to suital'ile sl'lelves or ledges preferably cast integral with the end frames. Said bar 25 has secured to the underside thereof an elongated, stationary rack 27 for the purpose hereinafter described. Also secured to the upper side of said bar 25 is the lacing holder in dicated generally by the reference character A and described more in detail hereinafter.

The movable carriage, indicated generally by the reference character B, preferably comprises a casting ofmore or less irregular centour to provide the necessary shaft bearings for the parts and a specific description of which is not deemed necessary. Said carriage B is arranged to be supported in its back and forth movements partly on the rail 23 by means of the grooved roller 28 which straddles and rests upon the upper edge of said rail 23, said roller 28 being suitably journaled in a depending bracket 29, attached to the main carriage B. By means of said roller .28, it will be evident that the carriage B is not only supported, but is also guided so as to be prevented from twisting or turning in its back and forth movements. Further, additional supporting and guiding means for the carriage l are provided in the three upper guiding and supporting flanged rollers 30. 31 and 32, suitably journaled to the earriage B so as to rotate about horizontal axes, the rollers 2:30 and. 31 being on the back side of the carriage and the roller 32 on the front side thereof and rolling upon the upper surfaces of the bar As will be obvious, the flan is of said. rollers serve to contine the movements of the carriage 15 to a straight line parallel with the bar 25.

In the preferred form of the invention, the carriage B is positively moved in its travel across the machine and to this end I provide, on the bottom of the carriage B, any suitable electric motor 33, the armature of which carries a sprocket gear 3:1: on the front side of the machine and over which rides a chain belt 35, the latter cooperating with a second sprocket gear 36 at the lefthand irz ienact end of the carriage l3 as viewed in lligure l. The sprocket gear 36 is attached to a shaftwhich is extended within a hem-ring 2:37, best shown in Figure 2 and within which is any suitable type of reduction gearing, the power being ultimately delivered from the reduction gearing through a shaft carrying a pinion which, in turn, meshes with a larger pinion lat) carried by a horizontally extending shaft 410 suitably journaled in the cin'riage B. deferring more particularly to Figure 2, the opposite end of said shaft 1 carries a pinion 4.1, which in turn, meshes with another pinion 42 secured to an upper cross shaft l?) journaled in the carriage l t the inner end of said shaft 43 in turn having a gear wheel 44 secured thereto which meshes with the stationary rack 3'7 so that the motor thus adapted to impart positive more 1 to the carriage B at the desired reduced speed.

In the preferred enlluulinlent of the iuvention, three of rollers are euiployed arranged in series so as to progrcssivcly apply the belt lacing as hereinafter described in detail. Each of these rollers is preferably positively rotated by the following mechanism:

Starting with the shaft l0, reference being had to Figures i2, 41:, (i and 7, it will be observed that said shaft 40 carries, near each end thereof, just within the piniens 140 and ell two bevel gears 45 and 46. respectively. The bevel gear 45, in turn, meshes with a bevel gear 47 carried by the lower end of a vertically extending roller shaft i8, the latter being suitably journaled in the carriage B. The shaft 48, best illustrated in Figure 6, has secured thereto, a gear 49 which meshes with an intermediate pinion 50, the latter in turn meshing with a gear 51 carried at the lower end of the vertical shaft of the next adjacent roller. The gear 51, in turn. meshes with another pinion 52 and the latter, in turn meshing with a gear 53 carried by the lower end of the shaft for the righthand end roller. as viewed in Figure 7. There is thus imparted a positive d rive to each of the three rollers of the series on the back side of the machine. Similarly. a positive drive and at the same speed is imparted to the three romplemenlal rollers on the front side of the niarhine from the bevel gear 116 thrruigh the bevel gen r 5d: (see Fig. (i) to the lower end of the vertical shaft for. the le'ftlnind roller of the series on the front side of the machine as viewed in Figure l. Said shaft 55 in turn. carries a .r 56 which. through the .interniediary of pinion 57, gear pinion 59 and gear (it), drives the two remaining rollers of the series on the front side of the machine. as viewed in Figure 1.

To aeroinmodate variatioils in the. thickness of the belt or apron having the belt lacing applied thereto, it is desirable to provide slight adjustment for each of the rollers and this is tlCCOllTlpllSllOtl by the ball hearing or larger recesses 62 provided in the carriage casting B. Each ball bearing ring arrangement is adjustably limited in its outward n'iovement away from the center line of the machine by an adjusting screw 63 adapted to be held in adjusted position by. lock nut 64. In this manner, the spacing between the rollers of each pair, as illustrated in Figure 8, can be varied and accommodated to variations in the thickness of the work being acted upon and. in addition, as will be apparentto those skilled in the art, an anti-friction bearing is also simultaneously provided.

As best shown in Figure 1, I provide a limiting stop shoulder 65 on the righthand end frame to limit the movement of the 'arriage B to the right, the latter having a cooperating shoulder 66. To limit the movement of the carriage to the left, a second stop shoulder (57 is provided on the lefthand end "frame 20, and with which the end shoulder 68 of the carriage is adapted to engage for that purpose.

'lhe lacing holder A is preferably comprised of a series of unit lengths, the total length corres mnding.to the maximum width of belt or apron to which the lacing is to be applied. In order to mount the lacing holder, the bar is preferably centrally grooved on its upper face as indicated at 6!) in Figure 2 and inserted in this groove is a longitudinaliv extending bar 70 havdxrg a. recess 71 out along the top face thereof. As best shown in Figures 1 3 to 15. this recess 71 is of right angular cross-section and tilted with respect to the vertical so as to 'n'ovide a lower surface inclined at approximately to the horizontal and another longer lace T3 inclined upwardly at approximately to the horizontal. W'ithin the groove 71 thus formed are secured the desired number of unit sections that comprise the lacing holder. The lacing holder is formed, as best shown in Figures 13 to 16, by an inner plate-like member H which lies against the groove surface 73 and another comb or holding plate 75, which bears against the member We and rests at the bottom against the surface 72, the parts being held in position by a series of screws, as indicated in Figure l. The holding member 75, along its upper edge, is provided with a series of slots or recesses 76 with intervening partitions 77 adapted for the reception of the belt lacing indicated at 78. The latter is ordinarily formed of general V- cross-section as indicated in Figure 13, with inwardly extended opposed prongs 79. The lacing 78 is adapted to be temporarily held in position inthe "customary'manner loya longi tudinally extending pin 80 which passes through alined perforations in the partitions 7T andwhich seats Within the ape; of "the 1- log, as clearly showniin Edgar-e13. The up per edges of the partitions 17? are :chaiiifered as indicated at SIl. I

To facilitate liandl-ing of the belt or apron,

the latter is rolled up asindicated zit- 88 in Figure and supported "b 183 snspended'on the ltwo upper -tubes 21 of the main r'l.'aine,;th'e free edge ofbeltbe ing brought down to :a point Within the lacing, as shown in Figures 13 and 16. In the drawings, I have illustrated a belt or apron of comparatively light stock, in which case the end of the'belt or apron is generally folded over'on itself sons to provide a double thickness to receive, the prongs of the belt lacing.

Referring next: to Figures 1* and-'14 {0 16, it will be observed thatthe rightljiand, set of rollers S t-84, as viewed in Figu're l and shown. indetail in Figure 14, have plane, vertical edges arranged in parallelism. The mentor intermediate series of rollers 86-86 have their edges so formed as to present a vertical face 87 from the top approximately to the middle and from the latter, the faces are beveled on as indicated at 88 so as to present a downwardly flaring mouth, as shown in Figure 15; The final or lefthand set of rollers 8989,as viewed in 'Figi'i-re 1 and shown indetail-in Figure 16, have plane, vertical edge faces 90, but are disposed much closer together-than the operative faces of the rollers Sit shown (in Figure H;

The operation ofthe machine is as follows, assuming the necessary length of. belt lacing has been inserted in the holder and'tbe belt end brought into position forattachin thelacin The carriage B will be started from the let'thand end of the frame as viewed in Figure- 1 and will advancetoward the right, being positively driven from-the motor ashereinhefore described. As the advance set of rollers 84 engage the prongs of the belt lacing, the prongs will be deflected or bent'inwardly toward each other sons to partially enter the prongs into the belt or apron as shown in Figure 14. As "will be understood, the advance set of rollerswill accomplish this action for theentire length of belt-lacing as the carriage progresses across the machine. As the second set of rollers 86 come into engagement with the belt lacing. the

y-ja series ot'loops'v beveled edges 88' thereof will still fiirther force the prongs of the lacing toward each other and into the beltor apron and start the deflecting or turning of the free ends of the prongs. as shown in Figure 15, this step in the clinching operation taking place for the full length of the lacing as the carriage travels across the machine. The final set of rollers 89 will complete theturning over and imbedding of the prongs of the lacing into" the fabric and finish the clinching as illustrated in Figure 16. It will thus be seen that the three sets of rollers act progressively on the belt lacing and successively deflect and clinch the lacing in a continuous operation as the carriage B traverses the machine so that the entire lacing is applied quickly, automatically in one cycle of operations.

In actual practice, the pitch diameter of the gear wheel ltand its speed of rotation will be so related to the peripheral speed of the clinching rollers that the lineal speed of travel of the carriage B will equal the peripheral speed of said rollers, so that there will be no slippage 0f the rollers relative to the lacing, thus avoiding any distortion of the lacing and reducing the friction to the n'iinimum. Further, by providing a motor drive for the carriage, all. the attention of the operator may be given to the holding of the belt or apron in proper position, thus facilitating the work. i

In the drawings, I have illustrated the ma chine as adapted for applying belt lacings to wide belts but, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art, many of the features of my improvements are applicable to smaller size machines or devices. In the drawings have been illustrated one well known form of belt lacing and to which the latter term is correctly technically applied. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, other forms of belt lacings or what are technically known as belt fasteners of the staple type may be applied in my machine without any departure from the invention and in the appended claims, the term belt lacing is employed. in the broad sense to include any type of belt lacing or fastener.

I am aware that many clnnges and variations may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention and all such changes and modifications are contemplated as come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a belt lacing machine, the combination with a frame having means thereon for holding belt lacing; of a carriage mounted on said frame'to move lengthwise of said holding means; and means entirely on said carriage movable therewith and positioned to engage opposite sides of the lacing and operable by the movement of the carriage to clinch the lacing to the end of a belt or the like. i

. 2. In a belt lacing machine, the combination with a frame having means thereon for holding belt lacing; of a carriage mounted on said frame to move lengthwise of said holding means; a motor mounted on said Carriage; gearing between said motor and frame operative to positively move said carriage; and means mounted on the carriage for clinching the lacing to the end of a belt or the like.

3. In a belt lacing machine, the combination with a frame having means thereon for holding belt lacing; of a carriage nu'umted on said frame to move lengthwise of said holding means; and a plurality of sets of devices on said carriage and movable therewith arranged to successively act upon the belt lac ing and progressively clinch the same as the carriage moves lengthwise of the holding means;

l. In a belt lacing machine, the combination with a frame having means thereon for holding belt lacing; of a carriage mounted on said frame to move lengthwise of said holding means; and a plurality of sets of devices on said carriage and movable therewith arranged to successively act upon the belt lacing and progressively clinch the same as the carriage moves lengthwise of the holding means, each said set of devices including a pair of opposed cooperable rollers.

5; In a belt lacing machine, the comlrnation with a frame having means thereon for holding belt: lacing; of a carriage mounted on said frame to move lengthwise of said l'iolding means; a plurality of sets of devices on said carriage and movable therewith arranged to successively act upon the belt lacing and progressively clinch the same as the can riage moves lengthwise of the holding means, each said set of devices including a pair of opposed cooperablc rollers; and meane for positively rotating said rollers about their individual axes while the carriage is moving.

In a belt lacing machine, the combination with a frame having means thereon for holding belt lacing; of a carriage mounted on said frame to move len .;:thwi of said holding means; a plurality of sets of devices on said carriage and movable therewith arranged to successively a ct upon the belt lacing and progressively clinch the same as the carriage moves lengthwise of the hold ing means; a motor mounted on said carriage; and reduction gearing between said motor and frame operative to positively move said carriage lengthwise of said holding means.

7. In a belt lacing machine, the combination with a frame having means thereon for holding belt lacing; of a carriage mounted on said frame to move lengthwise of said holding means; a motor mounted on said carriage; gearing bctweini said motor and frame operative to positively move said carriage; a plurality of sets of device on said carriage arranged to successively act upon the belt lacing and progressively clinch the same. each said set comprising a pair of opposed rollers and means for positively rotating each of said rollers.

1 8. In a belt lacing machine, the combination with a frame having means thereon for holding belt lacing; of a carriage mounted lltl l tlii lie actuated by said prime mover for positively effecting movement of the carriage.

9. In a belt lacing machine, the combination with a frame having meansthereon for holding belt lacing; of a carriage mounted on said tran'ie to move lengthwise of said holding means; a prime mover; operating means actuated thereby for positively etl'ecting movement of the carriage; and means, actuated upon movement of the carriage, for clinching the belt lacing to a belt.

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a holder for belt lacing: ofca series of sets of devices, the series being arranged lengthwise of the holder and each set of devices including two elements. one at each side of the lacing and engageable therewith, the sets being individually adj ustedin sequence to progressively clinch the lacings; and means for etlecting relative movement between said holder and said series of devices 11. In a machine of the character described, the combination with means for holding belt lacing; of a series of pairs of rollers, the ries being arranged lengthwise of said means,

the rollers of each pair being disposed on opposite sides of the holding means and adapted to engage with the belt lacing, the pairs of rollers being so arranged in sequence as to progressively clinch the lacing; and means providing for relative longitudinal movement between said holding means and series of rollers.

1.2. In a machine of the character described, the comliination with means for holding belt lacing; of a series of pairs of rollers, the series being arranged lengthwise of said means the rollers of each pair being disposed on opposite sides of the holding means and adapted to engage with the belt lacing, the pairs of rollers being so arranged in sequence as to prog ivclv clinch the lacing; means providing for relative longitudinal movement between said holding means and series of rollers: and means for positively rotating said rollers during the relative movement between said holding means and series of rollers.

13. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a holder for belt lacing; of a series of sets oi devices, the being arranged lengthwise of the hold er and each set of devices including two elements. one at each side of the lacing and engageable therewith, the sets being individually adjusted in sequence to progressively clinch the lacings; means for eilecting relative movement between said holder and said series of dev' 'es; and means IfOlfliLdLjllStlIll the effective. ance between the elements o each pair,

14. In a machine of the character described the combination with means IOIFIIOIding belt lacing; ofa series pairs of rollers, the series being arranged lengthwise of sa d means, the rollers of each pair being disposed;

on opposite sides of the holding meansand adapted toengagewith the belt lacing, ,,the

pairs of rollers being so arranged in sequence as to progressively clincli the lacing; means proviiiling for re ative longitudinal movement between said holding means anidseries of rollers; means for positively rotating'said rollers during the relative movement between saidholdingmeans and series of rollersgand; meansfor ind vidually ad ustlng each of sa d rollerswhereby to vary the effective distance between rollers of each pair. Ina device of the character described,

the combination with a framechaving a hold:

er fixedly mounted thereon, the hohjlerhav ing a substantially v -recess to receive the lac? ing; of a carriage; means for effecting relative movement between said carriage and holder; and means, including a roller, mount ed on said carriage and adapted to engage the lacing to clinch the latter upon relative movement ot the holder and carriage.

16. In a belt lacing machine, the combination with a frame having a bar extended lengthwise thereof; a belt lacing holder mounted on said bar in fixed position; a carriage slidably mounted on said frame lengthwise of said bar; and a series of devices mounted on said carriage and movable there with. arranged to successively engage lacing held by said roller and progressively deform and clinch the same in theniovement of the carriage on the frame. Q

17. In a machine of the diameter described, the combination with a supporting frame having a bar extending lengthwise thereof; of a lacing holder mounted'on the upper side of said bar in fixed position thereon; means on said framework for supporting a portion of a belt above said holder; a carriage slidably mounted lengthwise of said bar; means mounted on said carriage for clinching the lacing as the carriage moves lengthwise of the bar; and mechanism for positively moving the carriage,

18. In a machine of the character described, the combination with means for holding a belt lacing; of a pair of rollers positioned adjacent said holding means and adapted to operate on lacing held thereby said. rollersbeing carried by journals; and means for adjusting the I the combination with aframework; of a lac- 5 ing holder supportedin fixed position on said framework and extending lengthwise thereof; a carriage movable lengthwise of said framework; a motor mounted on said oarriage; gearing between said motor and framework for effecting movement of the carriage lengthwise of the framework; a series of pairs of rollers located adjacent said holder and adaptedto engage lacing held thereby; and means for positively rotating each of said rollers during movement of the carriage lengthwise of the framework. p

20. In a machine of the character described, the combination with means for holding belt lacing; of a series of pairs of rollers adapted to engage with the belt lacing in succession and progressively clinch the lacing; power driven means providing for relative lineal movement between said holding means and the series of rollers at a given lineal speed; and means for positively rotating said rollers with a peripheral speed corresponding to that of said lineal speed.

21. In a belt lacing machine, the combination with aframe having means thereon for holding belt lacing; of a carriage mounted on'said frame to move lengthwise of said holding means; a prime mover; a plurality of pairs of rollers mounted on said carriage and bodily movable therewith and adapted to engage the belt lacing and progressively clinch the latter; and gearing between said prime mover and rollers and between said prime mover and frame for imparting rotation to said rollers and lineal movement to said carriage with a peripheral speed of the rollers corresponding to the lineal speed of said carriage.

22. In a belt lacing machine, the combination with a frame having means thereon for holding pronged belt lacing, of a carriage mounted on said frame to move lengthwise of said holding means, means movable with said carriage and including members embracing the lacing and acting on opposite sides thereof and spaced to insure a closing of the lacing by the passage of said members as the carriage is moved, said members being operative on the lacing to clinch the same by pressure exerted from opposite directions thereon.

In witness that I claimthe foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 14th day of July, 1927.

GEORGE E. PURPLE. 

